Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Gender Inequality And Oppression By Jane Eyre - 894 Words
Jane Eyre: Gender Inequality and Oppression The novel, Jane Eyre creates an atmosphere of suspense by utilizing elements such as supernatural encounters, mysteries, secrets, violence towards women and etc. The setting in Jane Eyre can be seen to place the novel in the gothic tradition, which serves primarily to support the theme of gender inequality and oppression through the rise of a poor girl against overwhelming odds. The novel opens at Gateshead, at the home of the wealthy Reed family where a girl by the name of Jane Eyre sits in the room reading a novel because aunt Reed has forbidden her from playing with her cousins. Cousin John harasses Jane for being a poor orphan and pushes her to the end of her patience causing her to erupt. Jane is held responsible and punished. ââ¬Å"Take her away to the red room, and lock her in thereâ⬠¦I was not quite sure whether they had locked the doorsâ⬠¦ Alas! Yes, no jail was ever more secured.â⬠(Bronte 15-21). Aunt Reed sends Jane to the terrifying red room where Jane faints from the fear of seeing a ghost. Shortly after being freed, Jane now aware that she will be leaving to the Lowood School, tells her aunt, ââ¬Å"Speak I must: I had been trodden on severelyâ⬠¦I will never call you aunt again as long as I liveâ⬠¦I will never come to see youâ⬠¦ and if anyone asks how I liked you, of you makes me sick, and that you treated me with mis erable crueltyâ⬠(Bronte 62-3). In other words, Jane narrates the story of her life and threatens to tell everyone of theShow MoreRelatedEssay on Women Oppressed in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre1666 Words à |à 7 PagesJane Eyre: Women Oppressed à à à Gender is not a biological fact but a social construct.à However, so many assumptions have been made in the attempt to define the terms gender and sex that society often defines gender as being solely male and female.à The female sex has traditionally been oppressed due to inferences on physical and mental constraints that male-dominated society has imposed.à As with culture, gender socialization begins with birth and the family structure, though many believeRead MoreJane Eyre s Life Was Full Of Oppression, Neglect And Sorrow1498 Words à |à 6 PagesJane Eyreââ¬â¢s life was full of oppression, neglect and sorrow. The novel was formed around a few main ideas. One of those would be the search of love and acceptance. Jane wanted to find a family so desperately and she wanted to belong to people. More than this though, Jane wanted to be treated equally. She was denied equality because of her social status, her income,her lack of ââ¬Å"beautyâ⬠and most of all because of her gender. The book Jane Eyre shows the struggle that women face while attempting toRead MoreFeminism : The Advocacy Of Women s Rights On The Grounds Of Political, Social, And Economic Equality1694 Words à |à 7 PagesMicaela Castro English 2 2/29/16 Jane Eyre and Feminism Feminism is defined as the ââ¬Å"advocacy of women s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to menâ⬠(Oxford Dictionary). In the past century, the standards of what is considered feminism have changed. At the time Jane Eyre was published, feminism per se did not exist yet. In the Victorian Era any actions done by women that went against the norms for women for that timeRead More Comparing Jane Eyre and Yellow Wallpaper1650 Words à |à 7 PagesSimilarities Between Jane Eyre and Yellow Wallpaper à à There are notable similarities between Charlotte Perkins Gilmans The Yellow Wallpaper and Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre. These similarities include the treatment of space, the use of a gothic tone with elements of realism, a sense of male superiority, and the mental instability of women. There is a similar treatment of space in the two works, with the larger, upstairs rooms at the summer lodging and at Thornfield Hall being associatedRead MoreMessages to the Reader in Jane Eyre, a Novel by Charlotte Brontà «728 Words à |à 3 PagesJane Eyre, a novel by Charlotte Brontà «, contains several notable themes and messages sent to its readers. Jane Eyre is a coming of age novel that is a story of a girls quest for equality and happiness. A common theme that recurs throughout the novel is the importance of independence.Charlotte Brontà « utilizes several techniques to convey this message, incorporating her personal experiences, as well as including symbolism and motifs. Charlotte Bronte subjects Jane to several conflicts that occur becauseRead MoreJane Eyre, The Bluest Eye, And Feminism1422 Words à |à 6 PagesPavit Singh Mr. Trott English 2 Honors Period 5 15 May 2015 Jane Eyre, The Bluest Eye, and Feminism Feminism. Itââ¬â¢s a big concept in society today, but has it always been that way? Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is a famous work on the basis of her own experiences. In this novel, the author shapes a tough and independent woman who pursues true love and equality. In the Victorian period, the image of Jane Eyre cast a sharp contrast to the man-dominated society. She stands for a new lady who hasRead MoreFreedom For A Woman Of Empire883 Words à |à 4 Pagesavenueââ¬âmarriage. Each character lived very different lives, and their path, and reasoning for marriage varied. One variable in their decision to marry remained constant; In order to attain freedom, one must have the financial means for independence. Olivia, Jane, and, Lyndall, enter into the patriarchal institution of marriage because they essentially have no other option. However, all three heroines enter and/or exit the institution of marriage on their own terms, which situates them as the dominant participantRead MoreRelationship Between Men and Women: Jane Eyre and The Handmaids Tale1775 Words à |à 8 Pages Charlotte Brontà «Ã¢â¬â¢s Jane Eyre entails a social criticism of the oppressive social ideas and practices of nineteenth-century Victorian society. The presentation of male and female relationships emphases menââ¬â¢s domination and perceived superiority over women. Jane Eyre is a reflection of Brontà «Ã¢â¬â¢s own observation on gender roles of the Victorian era, from the vantage point of her position as governess much like Janeââ¬â¢s. Margaret Atwoodââ¬â¢s novel was written during a period of conservative revival in theRead MoreJane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte2164 Words à |à 9 Pageswere difficult for Victorian women, largely because of their gender, but also because they did not have any independent source of wealth. Published in 1847, Jane Eyre written by Charlotte Brontà « depicts the life of women during that time that were economically devalued and socially marginalized. Women were not seen as equals to men and being independent meant being free from the influen ces of others. The novel tells the story of Jane Eyre, a young Victorian woman on a quest to fulfill a sense of equalityRead MoreSummary Of The Tale 1386 Words à |à 6 PagesRochester, the protagonist in Jane Eyre, a typical Byronic hero with a melancholy characteristic who has a strong inclination of individual rebellion against societyââ¬â¢s conventions. Following the portrayal of Byronic males, Rochester ââ¬Å"injects ludic energy, performativity, and teasing seduction into the trajectoryâ⬠of this female Bildungsroman of Jane Eyre. When Bronte first publishes her subversive work that challenges contemporary ââ¬Å"social conventions and social orderâ⬠, Jane used her pseudonym ââ¬Å"Currer
Monday, December 16, 2019
Vertical Farming The Demand is Rising - 1275 Words
Vertical Farming: The Demand is Rising According to an extensive projection research project, the population of America is expected to increase to approximately 438 million citizens by the year 2050 (Passel). This is a sharp increase in todayââ¬â¢s population of roughly 315 million. If this projection is accurate, it looks like our nation is at a high risk of overpopulation. Imagine living in a town where you canââ¬â¢t drink tap water without the risk of contracting numerous illnesses from it. Where the only food that hasnââ¬â¢t been put through countless forms of processing is far beyond your budget. Where going outside isnââ¬â¢t refreshing because the place you live in is so crowded you feel like youââ¬â¢re going to suffocate. This is just a taste of what overpopulation looks like. However, there is a huge step we can take to prevent dangerously crowded cities. We have a lot of land that is being used for farming, and this farmland could be renovated into citi es. Vertical farming could be the key improvement to our countryââ¬â¢s rise in population. In his book The World is Flat, Thomas Friedman wrote of numerous techniques that the most successful individuals and businesses use to ensure they remain at the top of the food chain. Using these techniques decrease the likelihood of an individualââ¬â¢s job being outsourced or automated, and help companies stay successful. Vertical farming has great potential because it requires a vast amount of synthesis between workers, and it applies toShow MoreRelatedVertical Farming : The Solution For Water Shortage2004 Words à |à 9 PagesTanner Gohl Professor Karen Fitts English 101 11/15/16 Vertical Farming: The Solution to Water Shortage ââ¬Å"If we do nothing, we shall all surely perish!â⬠You have probably heard this phrase spoken by many a doomsayer and have thought nothing of it. Dismissing it as folly, you content yourself by believing that it is ââ¬Å"Simply nonsense!â⬠or more commonly, ââ¬Å"It wonââ¬â¢t happen during my generation.â⬠However, this view, when contrasted with our current situation, is detrimental to all of us. While it is understandablyRead MoreGlobal Warming And Its Effects On Human Population1458 Words à |à 6 Pagesthe world has gone from about 2 million people to just over 7 million people. With this drastic change in population in such a short period of time compared to the total age of the earth, problems are no doubtable going to arise. From the demand of the ever rising human population on the earth, food accessibility, depletion of natural resources, and an increase in global warming affects all have detrimental consequences on our human population and our own e arth that may not be reservable. As humansRead MorePre Treated And Domestic Wastewater1368 Words à |à 6 Pagespopulation is gradually increasing, peoples lifestyle has been changed significantly and also factors such as preferring people to live in the cities rather than villages, demanding the better quality of water by the population live in a society and also rising the chemical stuff price are the reasons that cause the usage of the treated domestic wastewater for irrigation, (world health organization, 2015).The worldââ¬â¢s population will be almost 2 times until 2050, therefore it will increase the pressure onRead MoreNotes On Yield Improvement Stagnation1537 Words à |à 7 Pagesgenetic yield potential is closing due to these advancements, however yield potentials are increasing at a much lower rate than the expected increase in demand. The increase in food demand means that average farm yields have to reach 70 to 80% of the yield potential ceiling within 30 years in different major cereal systems to keep up with demand (Cassman, 1999). However, several studies have reported of a slowing in yield growth trends. Switzerland has seen a reduced rate of yield improvement sinceRead MoreAnalysis of Event Industry1035 Words à |à 5 Pagesplanning. Storming or shock work, in which enterprises race to fulfill monthly, quarterly, or annual plans creates a peculiar (and costly) pattern of seasonal output fluctuations that two decades of reform have failed to eradicate. Excessive vertical integration is another hardy legacy of the plan system. Suppliers are least reliable as important deadlines approach -- because their attention is focused on satisfying their own plan requirements -- so firms and agencies struggle to create captiveRead MoreFood Insecurity : A Brief Issues Paper Written For The Pacific Food Summit1585 Words à |à 7 PagesThis diversification of crops can be approached in two major ways, horizontally or vertically. While both are necessary to increase yield, horizontal diversification aims to substitute or add crops into rotation in order to expand crop base, while vertical diversification looks to improve production and storage of crops after they are harvested. Both types of diversification are necessary in order to improve the current economic situation of Indiaââ¬â¢s farmers, and to preserve arable land for higherRead MoreEnvironmental Impact Assessment Of The Sydneys Darling Harbour1244 Words à |à 5 PagesIntroduction: With the development of the world, numbers of environmental issues were threatening peopleââ¬â¢s life, like rising Greenhouse gas emission. Buildings provide a connection between human society and sustainable environment, especially for Skyscraper (Ainger Fenner 2013). Establishing a new Skyscraper in Darling Harbour is a plan for Company AIIHigh. Causing a large difference for both human being and environment. Darling Harbour is where has lager number of daily flow capacity, meetingRead MoreThe Food And Agriculture Organization1388 Words à |à 6 PagesDeveloping countries lack key agricultural infrastructure, such as enough roads, warehouses and irrigation. Natural disasters such as floods, tropical storms and long periods of drought are on the increase. Across the globe, conflicts consistently disrupt farming and food production. Prices rise, consumers often shift to cheaper, less-nutritious foods, heightening the risks of micronutrient deficiencies and other forms of malnut rition. The problem is further aggravated by adverse climatic conditions, withRead MoreAn Industry Study on the Intensive Pig Farming Industry15104 Words à |à 61 PagesExecutive Summary Intensive pig farming is an agricultural industry that operates by raising live pigs for slaughtering which will then be turned into pork for human consumption. Piggeries, as the firm is called, serve as a major food source in the Philippines, with the highest grossing per capita consumption among red meats. The industry is fairly attractive to investors as its high capital requirement and risky nature is effectively balanced out by the steady demand of a readily available marketRead MoreThe Effects Of Algae Biofuels On The United States2097 Words à |à 9 PagesIncreased energy demands, the need for dependence on oil imports, and rising oil prices have created a new found interest in renewable, biomass fuels. The U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) added onto the Renewable Fuel Standard that required that all U.S. transportation fuels contain at least 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022. Algae biofuels have the potential to make a significant contribu tion to achieving these goals and having our nation become an energy independent
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Interesting Facts about Henry VIII free essay sample
The Tudors encompass one of the most exciting periods in English History. The dynasty of the Tudors include Kings and Queens such as King Henry VIII and his daughters. Interesting Facts about Henry VIII Looking for fast and interesting facts about King Henry VIII? Check out these fast, interesting, important and even little known facts about the famous King of England the Great King Henry VIII of England * Fact 1 King Henry VIII married six times. The names of his wives were Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Katherine Parr * Fact 2 The following rhyme details the order and how the marriages of each of the wives of King Henry VIII ended: Divorced, Beheaded, Died Divorced, Beheaded, Survived Fact 3 His father was the Lancastrian Henry Tudor who defeated the Yorkist King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field on August 22nd 1485 * Fact 4 His mother was Elizabeth of York, the Yorkist daughter of King Edward IV * Fact 5 He was a descendant of King Edward III through his son, John of Gaunt and the commoner Katherine Swynford * Fact 6 His motto was Coeur Loyal, meaning true heart which he illustrated on his clothes in the form of a heart symbol accompanied by the word loyal Fact 7 According to the English chronicler Raphael Holinshed the number of executions in his reign amounted to 72,000! * Fact 8 Two of his wives were beheaded, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. We will write a custom essay sample on Interesting Facts about Henry VIII or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Anne and Catherine were cousins * Fact 9 His fifth wife, Catherine Howard, was just 18 years old when she was beheaded * Fact 10 He had three children. His first Child was Mary Tudor who became Queen Mary I (Bloody Mary). His second Child was Elizabeth who became Queen Elizabeth I (the Virgin Queen) and his third Child was Edward who became King Edward VI * Fact 11 His daughter Mary prosecuted Protestants and was responsible for executing 300 people and has therefore been referred to as Bloody Mary ever since. Yet her father was responsible for 72,000 executions, including women, and never given such a nickname * Fact 12 In 1521 King Henry VIII received the title Defender of the Faith from the Catholic Pope Leo X for his opposition to Martin Luther and the Protestant reformation * Fact 13 By 1534 King Henry VIII broke with the Church in Rome and passed the Act of Supremacy making King Henry VIII the head of the newly established Church of England * Fact 14 He had at least two mistresses Bessie Blount and Mary Boleyn, the younger sister of Anne Boleyn * Fact 15 He was an extremely tall man and his height was six foot four inches tall * Fact 16 His early armour showed a waist measurement of waist of about 34 to 36 inches indicating a weight of about 180 to 200 pounds when he was a young man * Fact 17 The last set of armour owned by King Henry VIII showed a waist measurement of waist of about 58 to 60 inches which indicated a weight of about 300 to 320 pounds when he was an old man * Fact 18 King Henry VIII is most often associated with the traditional English song Greensleeves and some believe that he wrote the words and lyrics of Greensleeves for Anne Boleynà during their turbulent courtship * Fact 19 The English navy increased under Henry VIII from just 5 ships at the beginning of his reign to about 60 ships and he created a great chain of coastal fortresses to defend England against the threat of invasion * Fact 20 His doctors were afraid to tell him that he was dying because the Treason Act forbade anyone from predicting the death of the king
Sunday, December 1, 2019
The Establishment of an Immersion Program at a Prep Elementary School in Saudi Arabia
The rationale for the choice of the model The rationale for the establishment of the partial immersion program at an elementary school in Saudi Arabia is based upon the benefits of this model for the studentsââ¬â¢ cognitive abilities and proficiency in general and political and educational advantages of this model of bilingual education within a broader educational context.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on The Establishment of an Immersion Program at a Prep Elementary School in Saudi Arabia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More After the disapproval of Separate Underlying Proficiency (SUP) model of bilingualism developed by Cummins in 1984, it was replaced with the Common Underlying Proficiency (CUP) model (Baker Sienkewicz, 2002, p. 73). The underlying assumption of the SUP model that the acquisition of the second language is possible at the expense of the first, and the proportion of the studentââ¬â¢s pro ficiency in the primary language decreases proportionally, has been recognized as erroneous. Thus, the visual illustration of the bilingual education representing the two balloons in the head of a student was incorrect. The CUP model assumes that the human brain has enough space for not only two but even more languages. The latter model illustrates the process of bilingual education in the form of an image of two separate icebergs with only their peaks which can be seen on the surface and a common area in which they are fused defined as central processing system. The main conclusion from this assumption is that regardless of the language used, the studentââ¬â¢s thoughts are generated within this unified system and bilingual programs are valuable for enhancing the studentsââ¬â¢ cognitive skills. The peculiarity of the cognitive processes in the elementary school students is an important aspect which should be taken into account for rationalizing the establishment of the immersi on program at a prep school.Advertising Looking for coursework on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There is evidence that before puberty students can learn the second language as successfully as their native language because they use the same part of the brain for acquiring the materials from both languages (Baker, 2001, p. 9). The lateralization, which is defined as the process within which each side of the brain develops its specific functions continues until puberty. It explains the benefits of enrolling young learners into the immersion programs which would allow enhancing their chances for receiving a comprehensible input due to the relative simplicity of the curricula at this stage in general and developing a native-like accent in the target language. Along with the benefits of fostering the development of studentsââ¬â¢ cognitive skills, the establishment of the immersion program at an elementary school in S audi Arabia can have specific cultural and political advantages. On the one hand, taking into account the cultural context of the country is essential to teaching and interpreting language material, which is a powerful social instrument. In that regard, the studies of the Islamic values and Arabic culture are the compulsory elements of the educational program. On the other hand, taking into account the tension in international relations after the events of September 9/11, the establishment of a bilingual program could have positive political implications for the school. The immersion program can help achieve the proclaimed goal of combining Islamic and modern culture in nurturing the growing population.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on The Establishment of an Immersion Program at a Prep Elementary School in Saudi Arabia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More English as the language of international communication p lays a significant role in establishing positive international relations and enhancing the studentsââ¬â¢ literacy can become a contribution to making the countryââ¬â¢s perspectives in the international arena more optimistic. The establishment of the immersion program could be helpful for not only educating the specialists knowledgeable in English as the language of international communications and reducing the tension in Saudi Arabian relations with other countries intensified after the attacks of September 11, 2001. The events on September 11, 2001, fueled the criticism of Saudi involvement into the terrorist financing affairs and the countryââ¬â¢s relative laxity in combating the terrorist groups on its territory (Blanchard Prados, 2007, CRS1). Numerous allegations regarding the ties between the Saudi officials and ordinary citizens on the one hand and the terrorist organization Al Qaeda with its leader the exiled Saudi terrorist Osama bin Laden, on the other hand, have been made in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. The accusations of Saudi involvement in terrorist financing were partially based on the extreme religious views in the country and the tradition of zakat as the charitable contributions from every citizen counting for about 5% of the individualââ¬â¢s income which are frequently anonymous and not adequately reported but are regarded as the religious obligation for Muslims at the same time. In that regard, fostering the teaching of the English language by establishing the immersion program in the elementary school can be considered as the sign of updating the educational programs, balancing the traditional cultural values, the universal humanistic values and the international culture heritage in the school curricula as the strategy intended to improve the Saudi international relations. Thus, the improved chances for better development of the studentsââ¬â¢ language competency and cognitive skills in general and positive cult ural and political implications of establishing the partial immersion program in the elementary school can be regarded as the significant benefits and rationale for introducing the bilingual programs into the Saudi Arabian curricula (Garcia, 2009, p. 104).Advertising Looking for coursework on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Analysis of the programââ¬â¢s contribution to the childrenââ¬â¢s language acquisition Along with the advantages is compliant of the bilingual education for the studentsââ¬â¢ cognitive development, the immersion program with the major principles of language acquisition in elementary school and can become a valuable contribution to the studentsââ¬â¢ language competency. Currently, the immersion programs are internationally recognized by educators and politicians as advantageous for not only studentsââ¬â¢ acquisition of the target language, but also enhancing their knowledge of the first language. There is evidence that in comparison to traditional education models, the immersion language programs provide additional opportunities for developing multilingual competence and gaining higher levels of communicative proficiency (Lindholm-Leary, 2001, p. 1). Acknowledging the cultural foundations of the language, it can be stated that immersion programs can not only enhance stu dentsââ¬â¢ linguistic competence but also increase their cultural sensitivity. The early introduction of foreign languages gains expanded support from educators, business, and political leaders. The present-day language teaching techniques are characterized with the shift towards the proficiency-oriented instruction focused on the learnersââ¬â¢ practical skills instead of their theoretical knowledge of the language rules (Ryan Cooper, 2010, p. 135). The shift of priorities in the language teaching models and the growing popularity of the immersion programs can be attributed to the advent of the concept of additive bilingualism. According to the theories of additive bilingualism, the introduction of the second language instruction not only does not hinder the further development of the native language competence but, on the contrary, complements it through comparing and contrasting materials in the two languages and enriching the cultural experience. It is significant to empha size the importance of creating the additive bilingual environment in the classroom enrolled into the immersion program instead of a subtractive program in which the introduction of the second language is conducted at the cost of the native language, replacing it (Baker, 2001, p. 307). The submersion approach can have some negative implications for the studentsââ¬â¢ performance and even their self-esteem. It explains the choice of the model of partial immersion model for Saudi Arabian elementary school, which would allow creating an additive bilingual environment favorable for enhancing the studentsââ¬â¢ language competence and communicative proficiency. The favorable classroom environment is significant for the studentsââ¬â¢ academic and personal development and can be created in the immersion programs due to the relative language homogeneity among the students. The early introduction of the second language and first immersion implies that all children are the beginners wh o lack the second language proficiency. In other words, there would not be any significant disparity between the studentsââ¬â¢ status regarding their second language proficiency which might be possible if some children were more proficient than others (Baker, 2001, p. 306). Another significant aspect to be considered in the early introduction of the immersion program is balancing the objectives of promoting the studentsââ¬â¢ second language proficiency and ensuring their overall achievement throughout the academic curriculum. Taking into account the importance of the elementary stage for the studentsââ¬â¢ academic performance in the future, the goal of developing childrenââ¬â¢s bilingual proficiency requires appropriate immersion teachersââ¬â¢ training for them to be able to balance the two sides of the immersion program without sacrificing any of the educational objectives. Along with the difficulties of creating an additive bilingual classroom environment and balanc ing the education objectives of enhancing the language competence and the academic performance, early immersion model predetermines studentsââ¬â¢ improved cognitive skills and better performance in the two languages. Based on the CUP model discussed above, according to which the competencies in two languages do not develop at the expense of one another, but instead go side by side and overlap in the area of the central processing system used for solving general problems and generating thoughts before expressing them in any of the languages. In terms of the central processing system, as it is outlined in the CUP model, the concepts which were learned in one language can be easily transferred to another language. The primary assumption of this model is that the two languages interrelate strongly during the immersion period and allow enhancing the overall studentsââ¬â¢ lingual proficiency and communicative skills (Baker Sienkewicz, 2002, p. 73). In other words, the early introdu ction of the second language not only does not deter the development of the first language skills but rather complements and fosters them. There is evidence that education program can be performed in one or more languages without any significant effects upon the level of studentsââ¬â¢ skills. However, it should be noted that the language used in the classroom needs to be well-developed so that to comply with the demands of the curriculum assignments. Otherwise, operating an insufficiently developed second language in the school can harm the studentââ¬â¢s academic performance. In that regard, the early immersion program is advantageous due to the relative simplicity of the curriculum materials which would allow students to develop their linguistic proficiency at its fullest without reducing their academic achievements. Even though the significant idea of the CUP model concerning the integrated source of thought in bilinguals used for both languages is questioned by the Sapir-Wh orf hypothesis claiming that different languages provide different views of the world, it does not diminish the benefits of the immersion model for the studentsââ¬â¢ linguistic proficiency in both languages. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is that different languages can influence the individualââ¬â¢s way of thinking through their varied structures, concepts, and discourse (Baker, 2001, p. 170). However, even assuming that different languages allow viewing the concepts under different angles, it can be stated that the acquisition of the second language would only extend the studentsââ¬â¢ views and enhance their understanding of specific issues. Thus, the translation of meanings across the languages of the program would foster the development of the studentsââ¬â¢ cognitive skills. Reasons for the content areas to be taught The main issues which need to be taken into account in developing an early partial immersion program for a Saudi Arabian elementary school include the tradi tional values of Muslim culture, the standards of academic performance for elementary students and the demands of developing the second language proficiency at the level sufficient for complete comprehension of the academic instructions provided in the target language. It is recommended to consider the rule of 5 Cs, including the aspects of culture, communication, connections, comparisons, and communities for developing a comprehensive language immersion program (Garcia Baker, 2007, p. 13). Thus, the modern principles of bilingual education need to be adapted to the needs of a specific community and compliant with the laws of Indigenous country. The innovative approach to teaching languages in the era of enhanced international communication needs to be connected to the traditional values of the local culture. Serious consideration should be given to the role of religious beliefs in the Saudi Arabian community and culture. Though frequently even criticized because of its extreme rel igious views, the Saudi Arabian culture would be incomplete if deprived of theological subject area which is essential to the studies of the social sciences and the studentsââ¬â¢ socialization. On the other hand, in the context of the current modernization course and the goal of balancing the indigenous culture with modern international perspectives and the objective of improving the global relationships, the religious elements should not be overemphasized in the program, but rather balanced with the rest of the educational course. A complex consideration of the principles of the 5Cs framework can be defined as the most appropriate approach to selecting the subject areas which need to be included into the curriculum of the elementary students and the choice of the language of instruction for each specific discipline in the partial immersion project which would allow achieving the goals of enhancing the levels of the studentsââ¬â¢ linguistic proficiency without reducing their a cademic achievements or neglecting their cultural or spiritual needs. Focusing on the aspects of the culture and community from the 5 Cs framework, the subject areas of Islam studies and cultural values need to be incorporated into the curriculum of the elementary school. Taking into account the role of the religious studies in the Saudi Arabian community, it should be noted that theological studies need to become an essential element of the school curricula. Whereas the partial immersion program implies using the two languages, and the Arabian language is critical to transferring the main concepts of Muslim culture to children. In that regard, the instruction in a native language is preferable for such subject areas as theology and native culture containing some specific concepts which cannot be translated into the second language due to the lack of free equivalents in a foreign culture. The choice of the subjects to be taught in a foreign language can be rationalized by the need o f shifting the emphasis from theoretical materials towards the actual use of these materials in practice. Taking into account the principle of the CUP model which is put into the basis of the partial immersion program and according to which the common processing mechanism is used by the students for generating thoughts before expressing them in any of the two languages, it would be reasonable to provide the instructions for the subjects which require significant thinking operations in a second language. For instance, such subjects as mathematics, art, and the basics of social sciences can be taught in English without any significant decrease in their academic performance. Because these subjects require enhanced thinking processes which are prioritized over operation of the language materials, it can be stated that the use of a foreign language for a partial immersion program would allow shifting the focus towards the involved content instead of concentrating on the observation of th e language rules. Thus, providing students with opportunities for expressing their thoughts in a foreign language not for the sake of training the language skills but for the purpose of solving concrete academic problems might be helpful for enhancing their linguistic proficiency. As compared to the observation of the artificial use of the language materials in the imitated learning situations in traditional language models, providing the instructions for math, art and other subject areas requiring enhanced thinking activities and based upon more or less universal terminology independent from the coloring of the local culture would allow improve the studentsââ¬â¢ language proficiency without reducing their academic achievements. Along with the 5Cs framework and the consideration of the cultural demands of the Saudi Arabian community, another significant issue which should be taken into account when developing an effective bilingual program is the peculiarities of the development of the cognitive skills and perception of the academic materials in students at a given time. This approach would allow taking the advantages of the natural development of students instead of suppressing the natural processes in them. Thus, there is evidence that the early immersion programs can have positive effects on the studentsââ¬â¢ listening abilities and the skills of oral production (Lyster, 2007, p. 12). For this reason, the listening and speaking exercises deserve serious consideration in most subject areas, regardless of the chosen language of instruction for them. Without concentrating childrenââ¬â¢s attention upon the general rules for operating the language materials of the second language, the early immersion programs allow developing language fluency in learners through training their listening, comprehension and speaking skills while solving particular academic problems (Khan and Aziz, 2011, p. 107). Taking into account the importance of the listening exercise s in the early immersion programs, it should be noted that the teachers working according to this model need to be not only enthusiastic about creating the bilingual environment, but also have profound language skills in both English and Arabian, close or equal to the levels of native speakers. The educatorsââ¬â¢ attitudes and prior training play an essential role in the development of the studentsââ¬â¢ linguistic and communicative proficiency (Lee, Luykx, Buxton, Shaver, 2007, p. 1270). Due to the fact that the introduction of an early immersion model into the curriculum of a Saudi Arabian elementary school presupposes significant shifts in the educatorsââ¬â¢ traditional views of the school curriculum and approaches to teaching foreign languages, sufficient training would be required for changing not only the elements of the curriculum and the language of instruction in specific subject areas, but also the teachersââ¬â¢ perception of the academic outcomes and the educa tional objectives. Moreover, at the initial stages of the introduction of a new program of bilingual education, teachers will have to pay special attention to the levels of the studentsââ¬â¢ second language comprehension which has to be sufficient so that not to deter the childrenââ¬â¢s academic progress. On the other hand, the academic assignments need to be challenging so that students could concentrate on generating the solutions for the specific educational programs before expressing them in any of the program languages. Regardless of the criticism of the early immersion programs for the lack of the language creativity (Donato Tucker, 2010, p. 88), this model can be beneficial for developing the studentsââ¬â¢ fluency in the second language, enhancing their competence in the first language and even improving their cognitive skills on the condition that the framework of the 5CS is put into the basis of the school curriculum, and the objective of enhancing the studentsâ⠬⢠linguistic proficiency is balanced with the demands of the academic materials and cultural needs of a specific community. Regarding the development of a complex curriculum for the introduction of an early partial immersion model in the Saudi Arabian elementary school, the instruction in a native Arabian language is preferable for such study areas as religion and culture, whereas the second English language would be appropriate for the education in mathematics and art. Summary of the most criticalà points The rationale for the establishment of the early partial immersion program at an elementary school in Saudi Arabia is focused upon the benefits of this model for the development of the studentsââ¬â¢ language competence, language skills and the positive political implications within broader educational and social contexts. After Cumminsââ¬â¢ SUP model of bilingualism has been disapproved, it has been replaced with an innovative CUP model. Rejecting Cumminsââ¬â¢ assum ption that the acquisition of the second language is performed at the expense of the first language proficiency, the CUP model claims that the addition of the second language is beneficial for the childââ¬â¢s cognitive development in general. According to the CUP model, the integrated mechanism of generating thoughts is used by students for solving the academic problems before expressing the achieved solutions in any of the program languages. Regardless of the recent tendency to reject the primary assumption of the CUP model concerning the integrated mechanism used for the thinking processes by claiming that varied languages with their specific syntactic constructions and concepts lacking absolute equivalents in other languages, the assumption that the bilingual classroom environment is beneficial for enhancing the levels of the studentsââ¬â¢ linguistic proficiency. Even if the constructions and concepts of a specific language affect the studentsââ¬â¢ perspectives upon the discussed concepts and perception of the academic materials, the acquisition of the second language will help extend the studentsââ¬â¢ views on concrete academic problems and enhancing their understanding of specific issues. Regarding the positive political implications of creating the bilingual environment in an elementary Saudi Arabian school, it can be stated that with the current situation in the international area, the introduction of the early immersion programs and enhancing the levels of the studentsââ¬â¢ proficiency in the English language as a language of global communications is significant for establishing positive relations with other countries. Taking into account that the religious extremism and cultural peculiarities of Saudi Arabian community predetermined the international criticism of the country, its officials and citizens for their involvement into the terrorism financing affairs, the measures need to be imposed for updating the national culture and educat ional programs. Balancing the social coloring of the school curricula with the needs of the new community and the tension in the international relations with the other countries in the aftermath of the events of the September 11, the basic concepts of the Saudi Arabian Muslim culture need to be preserved in the school curriculum. It is essential to create a positive bilingual environment and prevent suppression of the local culture so that to foster the studentsââ¬â¢ comprehensive development. In that regard, the partial immersion model can contribute to the studentsââ¬â¢ comprehensive development complying not only with their academic needs but also satisfying their social and spiritual demands which are significant for the process of their socialization. The framework of 5Cs is the most appropriate approach to balancing the various educational demands in developing a practical language teaching program, including the community, connections, culture, comparisons, and communic ation. The main burden of evaluating and controlling the levels of the studentsââ¬â¢ linguistic proficiency in both Arabian and English languages is put upon the educators. For this reason, special attention should be paid to the teachersââ¬â¢ immersion training and attitudes towards the establishment of the innovative model at the Saudi Arabian elementary school. With the recent shift towards the language teaching models based upon operation of the language materials instead of focusing on theoretical issues, the establishment of the early immersion program in the elementary Saudi Arabian school would allow the school going with the times even though would require additional efforts of the educators and administrators for balancing the different objectives of the curriculum and controlling the effectiveness of its establishment for preventing the possible hazards of the reverse effects. The choice of a new immersion strategy is also significant because it would allow taking t he advantages of the relatively homogeneous linguistic environment in the class and the relative simplicity of the curriculum. Though there was no evidence of decreasing the studentsââ¬â¢ academic performance due to the second language instructions in the 50% of the study areas, the measures need to be imposed for controlling the levels of the studentsââ¬â¢ academic performance and second language comprehension which need to be sufficient for solving challenging academic problems. Reference List Baker, C. Sienkewicz, A. (2002). The care and education of young bilinguals: An introduction for professionals. Tonawanda, NY: Multilingual Matters Ltd. Baker, C. (2001). Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism. (4th ed.) Multilingual Matters. Blanchard, C. Prados, A. (September 2007) Saudi Arabia: Terrorist financing issues. CRS Report for Congress. Web. Donato, R. Tucker, G. (2010). A tale of two schools: Developing sustainable early foreign language programs. Tonawand a, NY: Multilingual Matters. Garcia, O. Baker, C. (2007). Bilingual education: An introductory reader. Tonawanda, NY: Multilingual Matters. Garcia, O. (2009). Bilingual education in the 21st Century. Benefits of Bilingualism (pp. 93-107). Multilingual Matters. Khan, A. and Aziz, K. (March 2011) Role of applied linguistics in the teaching of English in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of English Linguistics, 1 (1), 105-113. Lee, O., Luykx, A., Buxton, C., Shaver, A. (November 2007). The challenge of altering elementary school teachersââ¬â¢ beliefs and practices regarding linguistic and cultural diversity in science instruction. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 44(9), 1269-1291. Lindholm-Leary, K. (2001). Dual language education. Clevedon, England: Multilingual Matters. Lyster, R. (2007). Learning and teaching languages through content: A counterbalanced approach. Philadelphia, PA: John Benjamins Publishing. Ryan, K. Cooper, J. (2010). Those who can, teach. Boston, MA : Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Saunders, Semonsky, C. Spielberger, M. (2004). Early language learning: A model for success. Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing. This coursework on The Establishment of an Immersion Program at a Prep Elementary School in Saudi Arabia was written and submitted by user Ishaan T. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.
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